I take a deep breath. No, this is good. This is what I needed. She’s gone. If she’s not here, then these feelings can be buried so I never feel them again. I just need one night of good blackout drunken sleep. I shift into drive and turn on my lights, heading home.
Once at home, I let myself into the house and head straight for my bottle of whiskey. It’s been placed inside the cabinet instead of left out on the table. When I was with her, I didn’t need it. But now, she’s not here and I need something to take the edge off. I pull it out and uncap the bottle, taking a long drink that burns its way down my throat. I repeat this process over and over until I feel the first warning signs of the alcohol. The tingling in my stomach takes over as I head down the hallway to the bedroom. I kick off my boots and lean back on the bed. Disturbing the pillows makes the smell of her waft up my nose. I breathe it in deeply, needing to smell her, feel her, and pretend she’s here with me.
“Drake?” a man’s voice yells out.
I grab my bottle and head to the living room to find Colton walking in the door.
“Hey, man. What’s up?” he asks, flopping down on the couch.
I shrug and take my seat in the recliner. “Just getting shit-faced. What about you?” My voice sounds strained—off in some way. It’s thick with emotion.
He looks up and studies me for a moment. “Where’s Celeste?” He starts glancing around.
“She left. Went back to Los Angeles,” I grind out, lifting the bottle and taking another swig.
“Whoa, hey, slow down.” He reaches for the bottle and takes it away. “Keep throwing this stuff back like that and you’ll be in the hospital getting your stomach pumped before the night’s up.” He tips the bottle back and takes a small sip.
“Fuck it. I need something to do later,” I joke.
“What’s going on, man? Did you two break up for good?”
I nod.
“You mean you aren’t even going to try the long-distance thing?” His brows are pulled together in confusion.
“Nope,” I say, shaking my head.
“Well, why the fuck not?”
My eyes cut to him, but I don’t know how to answer.
“I saw how good the two of you were together. Why would you just give that up?”
My mouth opens but no words come out.
“What the fuck is wrong with you, man? Go get her!” He motions toward the door.
“No! She’s not mine. She never was. She’s meant for more than I’ll ever be.”
He scoffs. “Dammit, Drake. Why do you always do this shit?”
My head jerks in his direction. “What shit?” I ask, getting offended.
He stands up, pacing the floor in front of me. “You find something you want, something you love, and you just throw it all away! I know you want her. I know you love her! Why the hell are you just letting her go?”
I wave my hand though the air. “You wouldn’t understand.”
“Then explain it to me!”
I don’t bother. I just stare at his feet.
“I’m living every damn day of my life in fucking misery,” he says. “The woman I love was taken from me. She was taken without warning and I’m still not over it. Deep down, I know I’ll never be over it. And what makes it worse is that I have this little girl, and every time I look in her sweet little eyes, all I can see is the woman who’s gone and I hate it. I hate her for leaving me, even though I know that makes no sense and it wasn’t her choice to die. I hate God for taking her and leaving me here. I’m alone. But you don’t have to be. Go get her, Drake. Stop being afraid of everything. If she turns you down, then she turns you down. Then you get up and dust yourself off and work to get over her. But there’s still a chance, man—a chance she’ll want all the same things you want. Just reach for it!” Without another word, he slams the bottle on the coffee table and marches out, leaving me staring after him.
I’m speechless. I knew my brother was still fucked up from the loss of his wife, but I’ve never heard him talk about it like he just did—so bare and raw. He’s right. He doesn’t have a choice. He has to let go. But I don’t. Not yet. There’s still hope.
I grab my phone and call her number. It goes straight to voicemail, and hearing her voice is like a knife to my heart. I try again and again, but she never answers. Pissed off at myself for being so damn stupid, I get up and grab my keys. I go back to her office, hoping to find something. Anything. The parking lot is empty, and her assistant is gone for the night. I go by the bar next, finding Stephanie walking out as she locks up behind herself.
I throw the truck in park and rush at her, causing her to yell and drop the keys.
“Fuck, Drake! You scared the shit out of me.” Her hand covers her heart.
“I’m sorry, but I need to find Celeste.”
She nods. “She’s gone.”
“I know. She’s not answering her phone. Do you know how to get in touch with her?”
She gives me a sidelong look. “She said you two were done.”
“I know. I was stupid. Please, Stephanie, if you know anything, please tell me. I have to go to her. I have to tell her . . .” I stop and take a deep breath. “I have to tell her that I love her. That I can’t live without her.”
She studies me for a long moment then reaches into her apron, handing over a bar napkin. “Here.”
I take the white napkin and unfold it. It’s Celeste’s number and address.
“Thank you,” I breathe out, rushing back to my truck. I stop for a moment, looking at the town I love. Then I look at the long road in front of me and know what I have to do.
After throwing some things in a bag and buying a last-minute ticket, I haul ass to the airport. I run inside and get through security just in time to find my gate and board my flight to Los Angeles.
The wait for liftoff is long. The flight’s even longer. I bounce in my seat the whole damn way, and not because I’m a nervous flyer. When the plane lands, I move determinedly to the exit. I’m on the road more quickly than normal considering I don’t have any bags with me. I call an Uber and offer him an extra $50 if he gets me to my destination in record time. He stomps the gas and drives like a madman. It’s a wonder anyone here even survives with the crazy drivers and packed roads.
As we drive, I try not to think about anything other than what’s around me. I take in the sights of the city, trying to picture Celeste living like this. Suddenly, it doesn’t make sense to me. She doesn’t belong here. She belongs with me, in the country. She belongs in my fields, riding horses. She belongs in my home, sharing my bed. She belongs in my life.
I toss the cab driver some money and exit the vehicle, wasting no time in running up to her building. I yank on the glass door, but it’s locked. I look around and find the buzzer. I search for her name and press the button for her apartment.
“Yes?” she answers.
“Celeste?” I ask, my voice cracking.
“Drake?” she responds, confusion filling her words.
“It’s me, baby. Please, let me up,” I beg.
“What are you doing here?”
“I’m sorry. I came for you. I can’t live without you, Celeste. I’m sorry it took so much for me to see it. Please, baby. Let me up?”
There’s a long silence. I feel every thud of my heart as the time ticks by. It feels like time freezes. I wonder if she’s changed her mind about me. If maybe she doesn’t feel the same, or if being back home has changed her in some way. Maybe she’s happy she’s home. Maybe she’s just ready to put me and our time together in the past.
My hand falls away from the wall as I stand up straight. I’m preparing to walk away, never to be the same again, but then the door buzzes. I stop and turn around to face it. I reach for it, yanking it open. I don’t even know what’ll happen next. The next thing I know, I’m running down the hallway. A door opens and she rushes out. Her eyes land on mine, and mine on hers. Without any words being exchanged, I reach for her, pulling her against my
chest as my mouth covers hers.
Her arms wrap around my neck, deepening the kiss. I taste the saltiness of tears mixing in, but I don’t know if they’re her tears or mine. At this point, it doesn’t matter. All that matters is that I have her in my arms once again and I’m never letting her go.
“I’m so sorry, Celeste,” I say against her lips.
She shakes her head but doesn’t stop kissing me. “Don’t be. I love you, Drake.”
The words leave her mouth and make the world stop spinning for me. I pull away, looking into her glistening eyes. She smiles and nods. “I heard you loud and clear. And I love you too. I didn’t want to leave us. I don’t want this to be over.”
I pull her back to me, picking her up and carrying her through the open door. I kick it closed and press her against it. Her hands immediately start pushing away my shirt and mine work hers up her stomach and over her breasts.
“I never want to be without you again,” I say, peppering the swell of her breasts with hot, wet kisses.
“You’ll never have to,” she breathes out as her fingers lace into my hair, pulling my mouth back to hers.
That hole I’ve been feeling in my chest for the last few years finally seals. I’m whole again . . . with her. I don’t know how this will work exactly. I don’t know if she’s willing to give up her life to come back to the country with me, or if we’ll be left dealing with a long-distance relationship, but in this moment, I don’t care. As long as she’s mine, I’ll do anything to keep her, love her, and make her happy every day we’re together. Celeste was someone I was never meant to have. She wasn’t made for me, but I took her anyway, and I’m never giving her back.
Keep reading for Colton and Brennan’s story!
Epilogue
CELESTE
THREE months is entirely too long to go without seeing your boyfriend, but that’s how long it’s been since Drake rushed to the city to get me back. Three months, five days, six hours, and 32 minutes. At the time, I was so happy to see him here that I would’ve agreed to anything to be called his. Now, I’m damn-near desperate to feel his arms around me. It’s the only thing I can think about as I pack up my things in my brand-new office.
A tap comes at the door.
“It’s open,” I call out, looking up to see my assistant, Mary, walking through.
“Before you take off for the next three months, I wanted to give you this.” She’s holding a small gift bag that has a curly silver ribbon dangling from the side.
I smile. “Mary, you didn’t have to do this,” I say, reaching out and taking the bag she’s handing over.
She offers up a kind smile. “I just wanted to let you know how proud I am of you.”
I reach into the small bag and my hand wraps around something hard and smooth. I pull it out to find an engraved glass plaque. It reads Mason, Lawrence, and Howe Award of Excellence.
My eyes double in size as I suck in a breath. “Is this real?”
She laughs and nods. “It is. Congratulations! You’ve worked so hard. You deserve it.” She reaches out and pulls me in for a hug.
“Thank you,” I breathe out, hugging the award to my chest.
“You’re more than welcome, dear. Now, you best be on your way if you want to be in that sexy man’s bed by tonight.”
I laugh. “I like the way you think, Mary.” I watch as she leaves my office, closing the door behind her.
I hold the award and admire it. I look around my office and move to hang it on the wall. I find the perfect spot: in the center, right behind my desk, so that everyone who enters will see it.
I stand back, admiring my handiwork, then snap a picture of it that I send to Drake. Immediately, he responds.
Good job, baby. I knew you could do it.
I smile from reading his words. I can’t wait to be in his arms. I grab my briefcase and head for the door. I step inside the elevator and bump into Gavin. He smiles when he sees me.
“Hey, congrats on the award. I knew it’d be you.” He slides his hands into his pockets.
“Thanks. I was totally surprised.” I push the button for the ground level.
“Back to Colorado?” He looks down at my briefcase.
“Yep, I’ll be gone for the next three months.”
“I don’t know how you do it.” He shakes his head. “Three months here and three months there? I mean, what’s there to do out in the countryside?”
I laugh and shrug. “Nothing, really. But it’s not about what there is to do. It’s who I’m with.”
He nods. “Ah, this mystery boyfriend. Am I ever going to meet the man who stole you away from me?”
I laugh. “One of these days.” The doors open and I exit. “See you in three months,” I call out behind me.
He holds up a hand and waves goodbye.
Two hours later, I’m boarding my plane with only one thing in mind: Drake. I can’t wait to surprise him. He knows the arrangement: three months in the city, three months with him in the country. However, he doesn’t know I’m coming today. I’ve already rented my car from the airport—it’ll be returned to a rental location tomorrow, but I didn’t want to ruin the surprise by asking him to pick me up. Thanks to our iPhones, I’ll be able to check his location and go straight to him instead of running all over to see if he’s at home, the brewery, or the newly-built distillery. He’s been spending more of his time at the distillery, wanting it up on its feet and running as smoothly as the brewery.
It’s going on 5 p.m. when my plane lands. Perfect timing to have dinner together. As I grab my bags, I check the app that’ll show me right where he is. I can see him traveling down the old dirt road that leads to his house. I slide the phone into my pocket and head for the rental counter. The drive from the airport to his house is a long one. Being anxious makes it feel even longer.
The gravel crunches under my tires as I finally roll to a stop at his place. I shift into park and shut off the engine. As I’m climbing out, the barn door rolls open and his tall frame is standing in the opening, the light shining from behind him. I can’t see the look on his face, but I can tell he’s happy by the way he quickly jogs toward me.
He pulls me against his chest and presses his lips to mine, his hands cupping my face. His warm lips move with mine as his hot tongue, which tastes of beer, takes what he craves.
“What are you doing here?” he whispers against my lips.
“I wanted to surprise you,” I reply, smiling as I look up into his dark eyes. “Are you surprised?”
“Pleasantly surprised,” he says, picking me up against him. My legs wrap around his hips as he carries me into the house. His hands tour my body, pushing clothes out of the way as they go. He lays me flat on the bed, standing over me as he removes his belt. His eyes are darkening, his body turning even more hard. He’s like a lion stalking his prey.
“I’m all yours for three whole months.” I smile up at him as he bends down and pulls my jeans from my legs in one swift motion.
“These last three months have been the hardest I’ve ever had, Celeste,” he says, coving my body with his. He picks up one of my legs behind the knee and presses a kiss to the inside. “When you have to go back, I’m going with you. I can’t live without you for a single day, let alone three months.” His mouth travels higher.
My brain is muddled by the way he’s making my body feel. “What about the distillery?” I ask, surprised I even managed to get the words out.
“In three months, it’ll be running itself just like the brewery. It’s time I got to living my life, and I don’t want to do that unless you’re by my side every single day.” His mouth closes around my clit, his tongue lashing against me.
My eyes flutter closed as my back arches with the intense pleasure. My lips part as I suck in a deep breath. All thoughts of the future stop. All I can think about is this moment, the way he touches me, and the way he loves me.
When my release rises, he doubles his pace until I’m withering beneath his stro
ng body. My heart is pounding in my chest, and my breathing is erratic, as every nerve ending burns with desire. He climbs up my body and positions himself at my entrance. “I want to spend every day of the rest of my life with you, Celeste. I thought I knew pain until I had to live without you by my side. I need you more than I need air in my lungs. Every breath without you hurts. Will you marry me so I never have to feel this pain again?”
Surprise shocks my body, but love warms my heart. I cup his face in my hands, locking my eyes with his. “Yes,” I answer.
The moment the word leaves my mouth, he pushes himself into me, claiming me as his forever. His mouth finds mine and he kisses me fiercely and passionately. With his hips rocking against me, his mouth taking mine, and this promise now between us, I feel full. A fullness I thought I’d always had, but now, I see how empty I was without him.
“I love you, Celeste,” he whispers against my lips as he pumps in and out of me.
“I love you, Drake,” I reply, a tear sliding down my cheek. But it’s not a tear of sadness. It’s a tear of happiness, a tear of fulfillment, a tear that holds a promise of forever for us.
I’ve never in my life felt a love as strong as his—never as sure and true.
I don’t know where we’ll settle, but I know thing for sure: wherever it is, we’ll be together.
Off Limits Daddy SNEAK PEEK!
The day my wife died—leaving me a single father—I thought the sun would never rise again.
Until Brennan showed up to be my little girl’s nanny.
* * *
First things first: I don’t need a stranger to help me raise my baby girl, let alone a fresh-faced young woman who still looks like a teenager.
The Slade Brothers: A Complete Small Town Contemporary Romance Collection Page 20
